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OCD Therapy in Central London (W1W) & Online

For people stuck in intrusive thoughts, doubt, checking, and mental rituals

OCD can involve intrusive thoughts/images that feel disturbing, followed by compulsions or “neutralising” behaviours (checking, reassurance, cleaning, repeating, mental reviewing). Many people know it’s irrational, but still feel unable to stop.

I offer OCD therapy in Central London (W1 / W1W) and online, with a focus on changing the intrusion-anxiety-compulsion cycle.

My work integrates CBT-informed approaches (including ERP principles when appropriate) and ISTDP/psychodynamic work where emotional pressure and shame maintain symptoms.

When OCD is the problem

  • intrusive thoughts that feel unacceptable or frightening
  • repeated checking/reassurance seeking
  • mental rituals: reviewing, analysing, “getting certainty”
  • avoidance of triggers
  • shame about the content of thoughts

The OCD cycle

⦁ Intrusion (thought/image/urge)
⦁ Anxiety spike + meaning (“This means I’m dangerous/bad”)
⦁ Compulsion/neutralising (checking, repeating, reassurance)
⦁ Short relief
⦁ Long-term strengthening of OCD (more doubt, more intrusions)

How ISTDP understands OCD patterns

From an ISTDP perspective, OCD can be fuelled by:

  • high internal pressure and self-attack
  • blocked anger/feelings turning into anxiety
  • shame about emotion and impulses

Therapy can help reduce the emotional load that intensifies compulsions -alongside behavioural change.

How therapy helps

We work to:

  • reduce compulsions and reassurance cycles gradually
  • increase tolerance of uncertainty and discomfort
  • shift the meanings attached to intrusive thoughts
  • work with shame and self-criticism that drive the loop

What sessions look like

Early sessions:

  • clarify your OCD loop and safety behaviours

Ongoing work:

  • structured reduction plan + emotional drivers work

Related ways I work

⦁ CBT/ERP-informed work – central for compulsion reduction
⦁ ISTDP – for shame/anxiety and emotional pressure beneath symptoms

You may also find these pages helpful:

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to talk about intrusive thoughts in detail?

Only at a pace that’s manageable and clinically useful.

Is online therapy effective for OCD? 

Yes.

W1W sessions? 

Yes.

Insurance?

See Fees & Insurance.

Next steps